Chamber and committees

Good morning, panel.

Last week, we heard from witnesses representing wildlife management interests about situations that they believe require more than two dogs. I am keen to hear your views on the two-dog limit above ground and the exceptions for the management of wild mammals—including falconry, game shooting and deer stalking—and for environmental benefit, including in relation to ground-nesting birds.

The minister has answered my questions in responding to other questions, convener, so it might be appropriate to move on.

I will address my question to Mike Flynn first. What is your view on the prohibition of trail hunting and the exception to the trail hunting ban to allow the training of dogs to follow an animal-based scent?

Good morning, Lord Bonomy. What are your views on the introduction of the two-dog limit and the proposed licensing scheme?

Good morning, panel. You have already touched on a lot of what I was going to ask about with regard to exceptions. The licensing scheme recognises that there are situations in which more than two dogs are required above ground or one below. Can you expand on those situations and say what you think about the exceptions in the bill? I do not know who wants to go first on that.

I know very little about trail hunting. Will you explain the extent to which it is practised in Scotland and the impact that a ban would therefore have? I would also be interested in hearing your views on the exception to the trail hunting ban to allow the training of dogs to follow an animal-based scent.

Section 12 has an exception for training dogs to follow a scent, which

“applies if ... a person ... lays an animal-based scent for a dog to find and follow, in order to train a dog for a lawful purpose”.

Will you clarify what is meant by “lawful purpose”?

Good morning. I would like a bit of explanation of the reasons for introducing the two-dog limit—that would be useful—and an indication of how that limit has worked in England and Wales.

Thinking of predator control and the issues that Jim Fairlie has already raised, what consideration was given to the welfare of farm animals in deciding the limit? Getting the licence might not always be possible in situations that need immediate attention. What consideration was given to that?

Thank you.